One reason facilities don’t take advantage of the hazardous waste mixture rule is that mixing solid wastes with hazwastes increases accumulations that:

• need to be shipped out or treated on-site, and

• can affect permit status.

On the other hand: In some cases, solid waste acts as a neutralizer to reduce hazwaste.

For example, mixing unused alcohols with absorbent materials in a container can reduce the flash point to below 140 degrees, thereby making the waste nonhazardous.

Hazwaste a ‘cradle-to-grave’ duty
The mixture rule incentivizes reducing the amount of corrosive, ignitable or acutely toxic materials that people may be exposed to, is transported on roads, and may be accidentally released into the environment.

Keep in mind: The mixture rule only applies when you’re mixing wastes, not during a manufacturing process, and “intentional mixing” to avoid Resource Conservation and Recovery Act compliance is illegal.